Chapter 2: Arbus
Arbus sat in the ruins of the base he had called home for the last year as he stared into the horizon with a crestfallen expression coloring his face. He was the last survivor on the large planet of Terytl-B, a planet that had been celebrated as one of the most beautiful planets in the N-0 Starseeker Galaxy.
The star system's twin suns, one a radiant yellow, the other a brilliant scorching red, reflected off the twenty-three moons around the planet, illuminating different parts of it with a surreal glow. It was one of the many attractions of Terytl-B that drew in various travelers from across the star system, and sometimes beyond.
Arbus had always hated the fact that the main Renegade base of the planet where he was stationed, and where all other branches reported to, was located at the side of the planet where no moon ever reached and where the twin suns' light was most intense. He recalled enjoying all his solo patrol missions away from here.
But over the last nine months, he had slowly come to find the scenery a bit more pleasant than he had originally. The way a prisoner might find some level of comfort in the familiar cracks of their cell wall.
However, there was nothing about it that could be called pleasant right now.
All he could see now, as he stared vacantly into the distance, were the lifeless corpses of his comrades scattered across the landscape.
He slowly turned away, his jaw clenching in rage and regret.
The day had begun like usual, with his fellow sentries relentlessly making his life far more difficult than it had to be.
That was until a few hours ago, when a human appeared in front of them without warning after he had already massacred the planet's populace without their knowledge.
A battle had ensued immediately, resulting in the death of everyone. Everyone besides him.
Throughout his time on this planet, his fellow sentries, the administrative staff, and even his superiors had all treated him with open disdain and hostility.
Despite all of that, he had never hated any of them. It was easy for him to understand why Renegades would hate him.
In fact, he couldn't say with certainty that he wouldn't despise someone like him too. Someone with the blood of the enemy flowing through his veins. Someone with a life as regretful as his.
His hollow gaze slowly drifted to a specific heap of bodies, the same one where the corpse of the now deceased commander of this planet lay broken and discarded.
Commander Mits, a blue Mornan from the Mornan species, the most common beings in the entire universe.
His once radiant blue skin now lay dull and drenched with his own dried blood. He had been one of the most powerful and hardworking people Arbus had ever known. A steadfast Renegade, relentless in his dedication to protecting this planet and its people.
He was also the only person in the base who had treated Arbus like an actual person. Although Arbus could still detect the subtle undercurrents of unease and tension in his gaze from time to time. He didn't mind that as much as he would have a few years ago. After all, it was an instinctual fear and hatred the people of this universe had for humans that no amount of rational thought could fully erase.
Mits had still done his best to treat Arbus like any other Renegade. That alone had made him different from the others, who couldn't be bothered to hide their disgust when Arbus walked into a room.
Mits had been the only reason Arbus had managed to defeat Ronin. If he hadn't pushed the human as far as he did and caused him to run dry, Ronin would have most likely tossed him into the sun after figuring out he could heal.
Arbus's reddened eyes dropped to the ruined floor as he went back to trying his best to contain his emotions. He had already reported all the events that took place here, including the death of the human. The communication systems had somehow stopped functioning after Ronin arrived, but now they were back to normal, as if reactivating the moment he died.
The report had naturally shocked the bored sentry on duty, leading him to connect Arbus directly to the administrative branch in the Hold.
The Renegades found his claim of killing Ronin impossible to believe until he sent over footage of the current state of the base and his body lying outside among the others.
Arbus understood their bewilderment. Ronin, a demented demon that had slaughtered countless innocent lives across multiple galaxies, was dead, and by the hands of a mere sentry like him.
All Arbus had to do now was wait for the fleet of Renegades that would be dispatched. He was tired. Not physically, since the cursed blood of Joren Kaelen, the immortal human, flowed in his veins.
But mentally and emotionally. He had seen enough and had enough. An incident like today was enough to permanently break the spirit of most people he knew. For him, it wasn't even his first time.
The memories of his past gave him a slight headache, so he did his best to shove them aside, turning his focus elsewhere.
He glanced toward his hand vacantly.
"…I did it. I finally killed another human," Arbus whispered, his expression unreadable.
The pain in his heart from seeing the state of his comrades and imagining the state of the rest of the planet was almost enough to drown out the catharsis he felt from killing Ronin.
Almost.
Once again, he had managed to defeat a far superior opponent despite the desperate situation he had found himself in. He had won.
And once again, he had survived. While everyone else… was dead.
VROOM!
Arbus glanced upward as he noticed a Renegade ship part the magenta sky above him.
It bore the golden symbol of the Renegades on its bow, an immaculate shield with a glistening shard embedded into its center.
A hint of surprise appeared in his expression for a moment before vanishing the next. It seemed like the Renegades were still not fully convinced of his report. It made sense for them to only send a single ship, considering the unusual situation.
After all, this could have easily been a trap concocted by Ronin, who was known for his sick and twisted games.
The ship landed noisily several meters away from where Arbus sat.
Arbus watched a Vanguard accompanied by five knights disembark cautiously as the ship's door slid open with a loud hiss. They were all clad in form fitting white armor reserved for Renegades of the Knight and Vanguard rank.
Their faces were completely obscured by the helmets they were wearing, most likely as a precaution against the possibly volatile air of the planet.
They scanned the area, taking in all the carnage and horror. Arbus noticed a few of them make gagging motions while doing their best to hold in their discomfort.
After a long while, the Vanguard leader finally glanced toward him sitting in the shattered remains of the second floor of the destroyed base. He was still drenched in his own blood and that of Ronin's. But even with that, it was easy for the Vanguard to recognize the unforgettable texture of his skin.
The skin of a human.
In the next instant, before he could blink, the Vanguard vanished from his sight and suddenly appeared right beside him. A dim purple glow emanated from them, reflecting in Arbus's surprised eyes as he faced the Vanguard.
Their weapon was trained on him, ready to fire at a moment's notice.
He understood what just happened. "This Vanguard has a Heart Shard ability," he thought. The heart essence coming from them was all he needed to confirm his guess. He had never seen a Vanguard with such a unique Heart Shard ability before.
Mits was a stage 3 Commander, and no doubt stronger than this Vanguard, and yet even he hadn't gained one. It was very rare for a Renegade to develop a unique Heart Shard ability, especially at the early levels of attunement. Which meant that this Vanguard was no ordinary Renegade.
A cold female voice came from behind the mask a moment later.
"Your name and your rank."
Arbus composed himself as he emerged from his thoughts. "I already reported everything to the Renegade administrative personnel I contacted. I don't think there's anything left for me to say."
Several moments passed as the Vanguard stared at him silently. Then the intensity of her weapon shot up as she set it to level two. "I won't repeat myself again," she said, her tone just as cold as before.
Arbus's brow knitted together in a frown as his eyes narrowed. He had just killed a human, and yet he was still being treated like he was the one who committed the crime. Despite how used to this he was, he still couldn't help but feel indignant.
He let out an audible breath before responding. "Arbus. My name is just Arbus."